Will Greg Oden Return This Season?

The big fella isn’t entirely convinced that he won’t be back on the court before next season: “I just want to get back,” said Oden in his first public comments since he suffered a fractured left kneecap Dec. 5, resulting in recent surgery. ‘They say I’m out for the whole year, but my plan is to work really hard and you never know. Hopefully I don’t have to [be sidelined all season]. I’m hoping things are way ahead of schedule and I can come back at the end of the year.’ While Oden is trying to return to the court as quickly as possible, agents Bill Duffy and Mike Conley are promising to oversee a thorough investigation to understand why the No. 1 pick of the 2007 draft has suffered two major knee injuries in three NBA seasons. Oden missed his entire rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. Last year he sat out 14 games after suffering a bone chip in his left knee.”